The Chicago Pro Hockey League games start tonight. One game has a team with Beaudin and Boqvist playing a team with Kane, DCat and Murphy. Another game has Alex Vlassic against Toews and Strome. I think they play once a week on Wednesdays.
- EbonyRaptor

Loser buys the beer.

I for one like the trade. Deal from an area of strenght to get pieces you are lacking. Alex Nylander is a big skilled forward, seeing a trend here with the last few deals. He may have had a knock against him for lack of effort but look at the situation he was put it, how many kids his age tear up the AHL? Put him in a room with kane, toews and keith and i think we might just be saying we have a steal a few months into the season.
- SaskHawkFan

It wasn’t he didn’t tear up the AHL. It was he had zero interest in being there and he expected to be handed a spot in the NHL when he didn’t deserve it.

Sure the Sabres share blame for rushing him, but if he doesn’t have the puck he seems to float.

It’s a shame because when you see him trying you can see the talent is there.

He needs to get his head straight, hopefully the Hawks can do that.

Kyle Okposo also plays in the NHL. We will gladly trade you him, if you want “NHL-ers”
- ImThatGuy

"We" as in you're part of the Sabres front office?

I don't really understand what you mean about them not being good for their new teams because they have? Like Drouin just hit over 50 points at 22 (on a mediocre offense team) and his underlying passing/shot contribution metrics suggest he'll get even better while Sergachev was excellent in a #5 role at only 19/20 with the likelihood that he'll be top 4 next season when he's 21 (only reason he wasn't already is due to how stacked TBL's defense is).
- L_B_R

I think I understand where Ric was going...

Drouin was drafted to be the dominant self contained star when drafted and the fact Stevie Y recognized he wasn't, he went out and filled an organizational need in Sergachev, who after a bang bag start had the long seasons take a toll on his overall play and lost time in strategic times to the big stiff, Eric Cernak, who shots from the other hand, but nonetheless was TRUSTED over in key situations.

I think that (here I go speaking for someone else!) Ric was saying they both have yet to be huge impact NHL players who have reached untouchable stats or reached their goals to be really TOP NHLErs...

Sorry if this has already been said. I hated this trade yesterday & still kind of do today, I'm not going to lie. But I've done a little bit of thinking. Deep down, I had a feeling Joki would be traded, he did seem lower on the dman totem pole. I liked him a lot, so I have a bias & thought more of him so I wanted more for him. I thought he could land us an established forward. That was unfair to think that because he wasn't established either. It's a change of scenery for both & I think I can live with that ... well, I have to.

Nylander is a no one to me, because I know nothing about him. If he tears it up, cool, if he doesn't, cool too. It's a big risk in this sort of trade, who has the higher ceiling ... and that's why I'm trying to not rip Bowman so much. He's got a tough job, but I'm sure he had other eyes in on this deal.

Yes, we did deal from a strength. Idk if Joki didn't fit in the system or our long term plans, idk about Nylander's compete, but if he's excited to be a hawk, then I'll hold onto my judgments. I'll wait & see where this kid plugs in at & what he actually accomplishes. He can't be worse than Perlini, right? God I hope we don't re-sign that guy!

Did Bowman owe Botterill a favor? Does Botterill have naked pictures of bowman?.
- hehateme

If your asking THIS question, you need to ask if Blues GM Dog Armstrong had naked pictures of Botterill?

By the logjam that would occur by Jokiharju's presence, I think Ian Mitchell the captain ion his college team, might figure maybe there would be better options elsewhere.

I thought this trade was a clear indication thatthey knew they were going logjam and I just might have helped stir Ian Mitchell towards second Indianhead, but after Kevin Hayes each and every early pick that goes to college makes me insecure of that player not taking advantage to a loophole I don't think they CAN close.
(And with Mitchell a second rounder, you don't get a compensation second rounder if he chooses to go...just what you can obtain on the market as Calgary and subsequently Carolina did when they found a very interested and bare cupboard in New York Rangers.
- wiz1901

I am thinking they were going to move Joker anyway. That part doesn't surprise me much. I heard his name in Hab trade talks...and I believe even the Leafs. What I don't reall y get is acquiring Nylander. maybe the interest just wasn't there for Joker. I mean Toronto moved C Brown. That would have seemed like a nice trade for both teams. Maybe the Habs and Leafs offered even less prospects or just 2nd or 3rd rd picks...who knows. Clearly Stan figured Nylader was the guy to get. I disagree on the little I know of Nylander. But, since it is done I hope Nylander gets a shot at a Top 6 Wing position, and runs with it.

I for one like the trade. Deal from an area of strenght to get pieces you are lacking. Alex Nylander is a big skilled forward, seeing a trend here with the last few deals. He may have had a knock against him for lack of effort but look at the situation he was put it, how many kids his age tear up the AHL? Put him in a room with kane, toews and keith and i think we might just be saying we have a steal a few months into the season.
- SaskHawkFan

I too do not dislike this deal. Other teams have owned the blue paint in our zone for the past couple years. It looks like Bowman is moving away from defencemen like Forsling and Joki who permitted that to happen. Loading up on bigger skilled forwards and creating competition amongst the forwards should also make this team tougher to play against.

"We" as in you're part of the Sabres front office?
- paulr

Yes.

"We" as in you're part of the Sabres front office?
- paulr

Yes.

I feel like calling 4 to 5 decently rated defense prospects a surplus most of which are at least year away is kind of overstating it but I'd guess this is indeed how the org saw it. It's the most depth the Hawks have had in forever, but they also haven't been able to develop and graduate a defender they drafted since Hjammer so personally, I'd have keep them all a bit longer to see more before making any cuts because 18-20 year olds are just so varied.

It's interesting about the ceiling because I felt like Jokiharju is the best of the group defensively with Mitchell a close second. Boqvist def has the highest pure skill level obvs, and while I've been high on Beaudin since he was drafted, he was at the bottom of the 4 for me. Vlasic slides in at 5, but he could move around depending on growth D+.

I'm not totally sold on Nylander being a top 6 forward - his AHL numbers do not translate to that at all - but I'm willing to see what happens before I judge him too much. I'm somewhat optimistic he can reach his offensive potential, but also worried his defensive deficiencies will negate the offense. No one outside of Toews and Saad are even average defensive in the projected top 6 currently (maybe Caggiula if he's still slotted up there).
- L_B_R

This

they need to clean house with the scouting dept. no 1st round pick from 2010-2017 has panned out. only solid pick has been dcat
- arps714

This is just wrong.

Having time to read all the posts, and thinking about the trade, the one thing that pops in my head is this, maybe Joker had a good start to the season because nobody knew that much about him (he wasn't game scouted too much). Once there was tape on him and teams began to see what his weaknesses were they exploited them.
Another thing i mentioned before was that there are 2 seasons, regular season and post season. It seams like the Blackhawks want to be an exciting regular season team.

I am thinking they were going to move Joker anyway. That part doesn't surprise me much. I heard his name in Hab trade talks...and I believe even the Leafs. What I don't reall y get is acquiring Nylander. maybe the interest just wasn't there for Joker. I mean Toronto moved C Brown. That would have seemed like a nice trade for both teams. Maybe the Habs and Leafs offered even less prospects or just 2nd or 3rd rd picks...who knows. Clearly Stan figured Nylader was the guy to get. I disagree on the little I know of Nylander. But, since it is done I hope Nylander gets a shot at a Top 6 Wing position, and runs with it.
- hawk35

I will suggest another team for you to think about - Winnipeg.

They have lost Trouba, Meyers and Chariot off of their NHL roster. For zero return.

Wouldnt you think they'd have interest? Joki fits their criteria - low salary, Fins are willing to play in a market like Winnipeg, RH shot Dman.

Who might have Stan asked for in return? Jack Roslovic maybe? Or did Winnipeg decide Joki isnt that good or wouldnt help short term?

Or maybe Stan decided he like the big upside to Nylander.

If your asking THIS question, you need to ask if Blues GM Dog Armstrong had naked pictures of Botterill?
- wiz1901

yeah, that trade still stings a lot. **Hangs head**

I will suggest another team for you to think about - Winnipeg.

They have lost Trouba, Meyers and Chariot off of their NHL roster. For zero return.

Wouldnt you think they'd have interest? Joki fits their criteria - low salary, Fins are willing to play in a market like Winnipeg, RH shot Dman.

Who might have Stan asked for in return? Jack Roslovic maybe? Or did Winnipeg decide Joki isnt that good or wouldnt help short term?

Or maybe Stan decided he like the big upside to Nylander.
- RickJ

You would think it would be a natural, but maybe Stan didn't want to trade within the conference, and does Winnepeg have anyone they could offer with the upside of Nylander? NHL Radio said Winnipeg wants to hold on to Rosslovic

How much time is Joki going to get in Buffalo?, They have a plethora of right handed defenseman:

Ristolainen, Zach Bogosian, Colin Miller, Brandon Montour and Casey Nelson.Figuring Buffalo trades Ristolainen, Joli might still be Rochester bound himself.

Hawks v. Kings G5 from 2013 on NHL Network right now.
That was the best Blackhawk team I’ve ever seen. Hosea was a beast.

Here is a quote from Nylander after the trade.

"Buffalo, that kind of stuff, that's in the past. Obviously thought maybe I would be in the NHL sooner than I have been, but I'm just really excited, looking forward to being part of the Blackhawks organization," Nylander said. "Really good with development players, so they actually know what they're doing."

Kind of a barb back towards the Sabres as he implies they aren't good at developing players. Maybe a bit more than he should have said but also probably not completely off the mark either with how poorly managed the Sabres have been over the years here. Not meant as offense to Sabres fans, but the rebuild of that team hasn't exactly gone as planned. It could come down to Chicago being a better fit. Time will tell.

How much time is Joki going to get in Buffalo?, They have a plethora of right handed defenseman:

Ristolainen, Zach Bogosian, Colin Miller, Brandon Montour and Casey Nelson.Figuring Buffalo trades Ristolainen, Joli might still be Rochester bound himself.
- LAHawk

You missed Rasmus Dahlin.

Bagosian will somehow be placed in a barrel and sent over Niagara Falls never to be heard from sgain.

I am thinking they were going to move Joker anyway. That part doesn't surprise me much. I heard his name in Hab trade talks...and I believe even the Leafs. What I don't reall y get is acquiring Nylander. maybe the interest just wasn't there for Joker. I mean Toronto moved C Brown. That would have seemed like a nice trade for both teams. Maybe the Habs and Leafs offered even less prospects or just 2nd or 3rd rd picks...who knows. Clearly Stan figured Nylader was the guy to get. I disagree on the little I know of Nylander. But, since it is done I hope Nylander gets a shot at a Top 6 Wing position, and runs with it.
- hawk35

I bet the Hawks wanted a skillful top 6 player on a low-cost contract for the next few years. Any trades with Toronto would require us to take back Kapanen, or another expensive contract. Therefore stan makes this trade.

It seems that most posters hate this trade and don't see the potential in Nylander (myself included), but Stan does and that's why he chose Nylander or some of the other options.

You missed Rasmus Dahlin.

Bagosian will somehow be placed in a barrel and sent over Niagara Falls never to be heard from sgain.
- RickJ

I think Dahlen is a lefty.

I bet the Hawks wanted a skillful top 6 player on a low-cost contract for the next few years. Any trades with Toronto would require us to take back Kapanen, or another expensive contract. Therefore stan makes this trade.

It seems that most posters hate this trade and don't see the potential in Nylander (myself included), but Stan does and that's why he chose Nylander or some of the other options.
- RedRevenge

If their was a deal to be had with Toronto and if Chicago would have been able to acquire Kap, would that have really been a awful deal considering his salary and skill and point production?
If that deal could have happened and Stan passed then he is a fool.

If their was a deal to be had with Toronto and if Chicago would have been able to acquire Kap, would that have really been a awful deal considering his salary and skill and point production?
If that deal could have happened and Stan passed then he is a fool.
- Taylorst1

This sounds like the kind of thing that could become a board fact, like the one that had Stan passing on two second rounders for Sharp.

Having time to read all the posts, and thinking about the trade, the one thing that pops in my head is this, maybe Joker had a good start to the season because nobody knew that much about him (he wasn't game scouted too much). Once there was tape on him and teams began to see what his weaknesses were they exploited them.
Another thing i mentioned before was that there are 2 seasons, regular season and post season. It seams like the Blackhawks want to be an exciting regular season team.
- powerenforcer

Joki is a good prospect who was at his best out of the gate. I think there is no surprise that his best games were next to #2. I'm not saying Joki is bad or will be bad but I definitely think playing with Keith is a pretty good spot to look good to start the year.

I think back to also just how frustrated Keith was early last year and his comments about how the NHL is not a development league. The Hawks have been building with youth, but they definitely stocked up on D at the NHL level and made sure any young dman who breaks though is going to have to earn it. It is tough to see Joki go because he did seem to be promising at times, but like others have said, the Hawks need more young forward depth and have a number of decent D prospects.